Wayne Rooney has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo's 'rat' jibe by describing his former Manchester United strike partner's comments as 'strange' and appearing to back the club sacking him.
During his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo took aim at Rooney's criticism of him in the media, suggesting there was 'jealousy' because he was better looking and still playing.
The 'rat' insult came after Morgan said he was trying to figure out how Rooney could dislike Ronaldo even more. He asked: 'More pounds in the bank or more Instagram followers?'
Laughing, Ronaldo replied: 'That's a good question! Probably similar!'
Morgan said: 'I'm just trying to work out how Wayne Rooney could hate you even more.'
Ronaldo answered: 'Not only him, imagine the rest of the rats they are going to criticise me too, but it is good to still be the No 1.'
The 37-year-old also said of Rooney, also 37, in the interview: 'Probably [it's jealousy]. Probably - because he finished his career in his 30s. I'm still playing at a high level; I'm not going to say that I'm looking better than him, which is true.'
Now Rooney has responded to Ronaldo's comments, telling CNN: 'Well, listen, Cristiano Ronaldo's a fantastic player and , as I've said before, he and [Lionel] Messi are the two best players probably to play the game.
'And, again, it's not a criticism. What I've said is age comes to all of us, and Cristiano is obviously is feeling that and he's finding it hard to deal with that.
'Obviously he's done an interview that's gone global. Bit strange, some of the comments are strange in there but I'm sure Manchester United will deal with it once they've seen the full interview and they'll take whatever action they need to take.'
As Sportsmail reported, United are looking at ways they can sack Ronaldo after he claimed the club had 'betrayed' him and took aim at manager Erik ten Hag and the club's American owners.
The interview, which wasn't authorised by the club, dropped in the hours after United's 2-1 Premier League win at Fulham, their last fixture before the World Cup.
It meant Ronaldo could report for international duty with Portugal knowing he wouldn't have to directly face the consequences of his comments at United for at least three weeks.
Hemp
0
How many years did man u stayed with out a champions league title before Ronaldo's arrival?
Cr7 came 2003-2004 and man u won the ucl 1999 4 years before cr7 came. Wats ur point man u won epl in 1999,2000,2003 many Times and man u was already a ucl winning team
cokemnrsu
1
that red card at the world cup still hurts rooney
fembcmsuz
0
All the ex united players have criticized the club, especially the English players, now they all are shocked when Ronaldo does it 🤷 Ronaldo was talking facts.
Sutcitz
1
Christian Ronaldo is The number one football player in the all world
wouaekprsu
1
Dude man u was already a Big team w hi o won ucl and many epl tittles before cr7 came to man u as a teenagers. Wat u talking about cr7 game man u evryting? Dude cr7 left man u after he won the bollondor went to madrid fore 10 years winning 4 ucl and 3 laloga tittles, cr7 is not man u legend like scholes. Rooney cr7 is madeid legend
How many years did man u stayed with out a champions league title before Ronaldo's arrival?
Hemp
0
I don't see why Rooney and co bent on retiring CR7. What is wrong with all this fools who did not reach their prime and retired young. Man u should go to hell over their critics and it seemed like they have forgotten whome CR7 was when he gave them everything.
Dude man u was already a Big team w hi o won ucl and many epl tittles before cr7 came to man u as a teenagers. Wat u talking about cr7 game man u evryting? Dude cr7 left man u after he won the bollondor went to madrid fore 10 years winning 4 ucl and 3 laloga tittles, cr7 is not man u legend like scholes. Rooney cr7 is madeid legend
hardtruth7
0
Just only one interview HE granted the world of football has come to standstill. Indeed, the GREATEST. I'm yet to see a day without CR7 in the news... This guy is something else...
rewdlmnpru
0
ok crybaby Ronaldo challenge Rooney in a ring, winner walks out. but if Rooney messed up your hair, you be rolling round the floor crying, and winking.
TheOneAndOnlyJ
3
Number one at what? Talking?
debknyz
0
Criticism is part of the game and where he is now he is at an end of his career and it will come with even a lot of criticism about how finished he is, and if he can’t take it then he should retire!
fuckyoubonori
0
why is Rooney and Gary and cara are so interested in Ronaldo?the fact is that there is no English player as successful as Ronaldo and this is pure jealousy.. they'll criticizing him and expect him not to fire back..they should talk about Liverpool who finished 2nd last season and are bad this season
they can make money by saying sht about ronaldo
Eliakemkandongo
1
i don't care Ronaldo will go anywhere he wants to
Riubcdeknt
3
why is Rooney and Gary and cara are so interested in Ronaldo?the fact is that there is no English player as successful as Ronaldo and this is pure jealousy.. they'll criticizing him and expect him not to fire back..they should talk about Liverpool who finished 2nd last season and are bad this season
Tiudkotuz
1
Ronaldo,tired legs what goes must come down.accept that you cannot play competitive games for 90min.
anthonywise
0
I don't see why Rooney and co bent on retiring CR7. What is wrong with all this fools who did not reach their prime and retired young. Man u should go to hell over their critics and it seemed like they have forgotten whome CR7 was when he gave them everything.
You are the biggest fool in this whole word. Like what are you saying, pig, which Man U critics? Is Man U that send Ronaldo to do this interview, saying all sort of nonsense. Your sense have watch away with water
hazadeprsu
0
Manchester United should as a matter of urgency sack Ronaldo he is ingrate
Jeabilnopy
1
I don't see why Rooney and co bent on retiring CR7. What is wrong with all this fools who did not reach their prime and retired young. Man u should go to hell over their critics and it seemed like they have forgotten whome CR7 was when he gave them everything.
kamaludinho
0
man child
baclmpruy
1
Good man God bless you